Flipper
1964 - United StatesBased on the popular 1963 movie of the same name, which starred Chuck Connors (The Rifleman) and a young Luke Halpin, Flipper brought the heartwarming and often thrilling adventures of a clever bottlenose dolphin to television screens across America. Set in the sunny waters of Coral Key Park, a fictional Florida marine reserve, the series followed the lives of Chief Ranger Porter Ricks (Brian Kelly) and his two sons, Sandy (Halpin, reprising a version of his movie role) and Bud (Tommy Norden).
At the centre of the show was Flipper, the remarkably intelligent dolphin who always seemed to arrive just in time to rescue the boys, or sometimes the grown-ups, from peril. Whether it was sharks, poachers, or natural disasters, Flipper’s uncanny sense of timing and his strong bond with the Ricks family made him a hero for audiences young and old.
Early episodes featured the grizzled old mariner Hap Gorman, played by veteran Western actor Andy Devine, adding a touch of salty humour and seafaring lore. Later, he was replaced by Ulla Norstrand (Ulla Stromstedt), a Scandinavian oceanographer who brought a more scientific perspective to the team. Behind Flipper’s on-screen magic was the expert training of Ricou Browning, who had previously donned the gill suit as the title monster in Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954).
With its mix of marine adventure, family values, and a touch of educational content, Flipper remains a fondly remembered slice of 1960s television, celebrating the wonders of the ocean and the enduring bond between humans and animals.
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Published on December 13th, 2018. Written by Laurence Marcus for Television Heaven.
